Durban doctor at Ebola front line

DURBAN doctor Indira Govender has been on the front line helping Ebola virus victims.

Govender, 33, from the Berea, returned home this week from serving in Sierra Leone with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) and said that despite the trying conditions, the rewards were well worth it.

“It’s such a devastating disease, but when people survive and leave the clinic, it’s indescribable. It’s definitely the best part of our job.

“There are usually three to four people discharged daily, and it’s just a huge celebration every time. We all clap and cheer, hug them and give them certificates to show the people in their village that they are cured.

“To see a child, a mother, or a grandparent – someone you have helped – walk out of the clinic, Ebola-free, is amazing,” she said.

Govender, who has served with Médecins Sans Frontières in Lesotho, Syria and South Sudan, had been based in Kailahun, Sierra Leone at a field clinic, for the past two months.

She said the conditions in the region were such that doctors and volunteers were often taxed to breaking point. “Ebola is an extremely destructive disease. It can be heart-wrenching to see children come to visit their parents, or worse, come in as patients themselves.

“Sometimes, because of the conditions, we are unable to give the patient the care that we would like to, and it can push you to your limits. But we prepare mentally for those times as it comes with the territory,” she said.

Govender said that working with Médecins Sans Frontières was a dream come true. “I had heard so much about them when I was studying and I decided that it was what I wanted to do.”

“They are always at the forefront of medical technology and pioneering new ways of helping care for patients. The world sees Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) as only caring for patients, but it’s so much more than that.”

Govender was well aware of the risks posed by the virus, but did not feel insecure at work because of the strict protocols Médecins Sans Frontières put in place.

“People shouldn’t be scared to serve with MSF because it’s the safest place to be. They are very vigilant,” said Govender.

“The conditions aren’t ideal, but MSF’s logistics, construction and their protective equipment are of such top quality that the biggest impediment to our job is the heat.

“It’s so humid that the discomfort index is over 40ºC almost every day, so it’s impossible to work in the yellow hazmat suits for longer than an hour without getting dehydrated,” she added.

While being far from home for so long can be difficult, especially away from family, friends and her boyfriend – a Lithuanian fellowMSF employee – the humanitarian aid organisation goes out of its way to ensure doctors have access to the internet so they can communicate with the world, as well as comfortable accommodation.

“These countries have emerged from strife and now they are facing this devastating disease, which is why it’s so important for as many people as possible to volunteer.”

Govender said that it was South Africa’s duty to help countries like Sierra Leone that did not have access to the resources we did.

“South Africa is so wellresourced. Sierra Leone is a country of 6 million people but it produces only a handful of doctors every year. Far too many in the health care sector have lost their lives in the fight against this disease and it needs to be stopped.

“The country is being left destitute by the disease and will need help rebuilding, it has lost a huge amount of human capital, especially in the healthcare sector.”

Govender’s parents, Sungree and Krish, couldn’t be prouder of their daughter.

“Of course we are concerned, but we are also so proud of her. We worry about her, but she has always been extremely responsible,” said her mother. “She is courageous and we think she is a good example to others. She has always been willing to serve humanity.”

Borrie La Grange, head of communications for Médecins Sans Frontières South Africa, said the organisation worked in more than 60 countries treating about 8 million people a year.

“Since the start of the Ebola outbreak, Médecins Sans Frontières SA has deployed 23 medical and support staff from Southern Africa – 16 of them are SouthAfrica-based. So far we have sent 14 fieldworkers to Sierra Leone, nine to Liberia and one to Guinea.”

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